Tributes paid to "kind and gentle" Leeds nurse who died from coronavirus

Khulisani Nkala, known as Khuli, was a mental health nurse who mainly worked at the Newsam Centre in Seacroft.

The 46-year-old sadly died after testing positive for Covid-19 on Friday, April 17.

Khuli joined the Leeds and York Partnership NHS Foundation Trust in 2015 as a qualified Staff Nurse.

He quickly progressed to a Charge Nurse.

Khuli was an active member of the Workforce Race Equality Network and vocal about supporting black and minority ethnic workers.

He was also a dedicated staff mentor and took many student nurses under his wing, winning an award from the University of Leeds for his mentoring work.

Dr Sara Munro, Chief Executive of Leeds and York Partnership NHS Foundation Trust has paid tribute to the "well-respected and selfless" nurse.

Dr Munro said: "It is with great sadness that I have to announce that Khuli Nkala died from coronavirus.

"This is the first member of our particular NHS family to lose their life to Covid-19, and I sincerely hope it will be the last.

"Khuli was a well-respected and selfless professional nurse, who “always put the patient first”, and will be greatly missed by his colleagues.

"Khuli was someone who took his responsibilities as a trainer and professional mentor very seriously, taking many student nurses under his wing and taking the time to nurture the next generation of talent.

"He won an award from the University of Leeds for his mentoring work for which he should have been very proud.

"Colleagues have been working to support our forensics team over the weekend and will continue to do so throughout the next few weeks as we all come to terms with this loss."

Dr Munro added: "Our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this difficult time.

"They have asked for their privacy to be respected so they can come to terms with this loss and grieve in peace.

"We have shared with them how much Khuli meant to so many colleagues and service users at our Trust."

Wendy Tangen, the Clinical Services Inclusion Lead and Workforce Race Equality Network Chair at the trust, has also paid tribute to Khuli, who she recruited in 2015.

Ms Tangen said: "Khuli was a man of integrity, honour, wit and a smile that lit up any dull room.

"He believed in fairness and I often had conversations with him on improving the care we offered to our service users and supporting the progression of our Black and Minority Ethnic staff members.

"His ability to develop sound relationships and put people at ease was astounding, nothing appeared to faze him, and his presence gave calmness and confidence in difficult situations.

"He was respected for his professionalism and boundaries yet he was always personable.

"Over the years Khuli shared many of his own cultural norms with team members and me, this supported team members to understand the importance of taking the full person into consideration when delivering treatment and care.

"Khuli joined our Race Equality Network as one of its first members and would often contribute his views to me directly in my role as the Chair.

"Although he can be described as having a strong resilience, he understood the impact on inequalities for BAME staff and service users and was committed to making a difference to their lives.

"Khuli has imprinted into our lives in so many ways, for those of us who knew him well he was not just a colleague, he was a friend and one of our brothers…who will be missed dearly."

Several of Khuli's work colleagues and service users have also paid tribute to him.

They said: “What a true gentleman. Always smiling, always happy, caring, compassionate, reliable and the most incredible nurse.

"Someone you could always turn to. He will be deeply missed.

"Would do anything for anyone to help people learn and grow; nothing was ever too much to ask.

"He will always be held in our hearts.”

Another added: "I can't even bring to words how devastating this is. Khuli you were a fantastic nurse, role model, colleague and friend. You always had a listening ear.

"Your smile was brightening and your personality more so. You are an inspiration to me and everyone.

"I hope to become half the nurse you were. Rest easy up there.”

Another colleague said: "You were taken too soon but you'll never be forgotten.

"Such a gentle and kind soul, so compassionate and dedicated to your patients and your colleagues, it was an absolute honour to be mentored by you and work by your side.

"Your unconditional belief in me and your support inspired me with confidence and I wouldn't be the nurse I am today without you. I will never be able to put my appreciation for you into words, as I don't think many people will be able to, but I hope you can see just how much you meant to everyone and how special you are.

"You will be missed dearly and will always have a special place in my heart. I hope that one day I'll be as good a nurse as you and I'll aim high and dream big just like you always taught me to.”